Sen. Karl Rhoads

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to establish positions within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Geriatric Medicine to coordinate and incorporate training on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia for health care providers into existing University of Hawaii programs; and review, update, and develop a dementia curriculum to be incorporated into existing University of Hawaii programs with the goal of establishing a local, informed dementia workforce. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)

Requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to collect data and submit to the Legislature a report focused on the health disparities experienced by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the State prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Establishes provisions relating to civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to a law enforcement officer. Provides that any person who causes a law enforcement officer to contact a person on the basis of the person's actual or perceived protected class with the intent to discriminate against the person shall be civilly liable. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, to provide guidance to the public on the enactment of this Act. For purpose and intent of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission law, adding "place of birth" as a protected class. Effective 9/1/2025. (HD1)

Requires law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been conducted on a property. Requires a law enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search. Requires law enforcement agencies to develop a policy for securing the entrances to a house, store, or other building designated as a place to be searched after a search is completed. Allows the breaking of any doors, gates, other bars to the entrance, closets, and other closed places during a search when reasonable and other means of entering the space are not reasonable. (CD1)

Maddy summarySB 304 establishes new staff positions and allocates funding for the Adult Client Services Branch within the First Circuit Court. This bill directly affects the court's operations by providing resources to support its services for adult clients. The key provision is the creation of specific roles and the appropriation of state funds to cover these positions' salaries and operational costs.

Allows for ballots designated by the county clerks for inclusion to be included in the initial tabulation for purposes of initial recounts. Prohibits ballots that the county clerks initially determine are deficient or need additional time to be corrected or verified from being included in the initial tabulation. Increases the minimum threshold required to trigger an automatic recount. (CD1)

Maddy summarySB 330 authorizes the state Department of Agriculture to enforce federal quarantine orders related to invasive species. This would directly affect businesses or individuals handling plants, animals, or goods that could spread harmful invasive species, such as agricultural shipments or pet trade imports. The bill provides the state agency with the authority to implement existing federal quarantine requirements, without creating new quarantine rules. It focuses on ensuring compliance with federal standards to prevent the introduction or spread of invasive species through regulated pathways.

Maddy summarySB 65 allocates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority specifically for rehabilitating, remodeling, renovating, and repairing public housing units. This directly affects low-income residents living in Hawaii's public housing by improving their living conditions through these repairs. The bill provides concrete funding for physical maintenance work, without changing eligibility rules or creating new housing programs.

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to complete a comprehensive review of the classification and compensation systems for all civil service positions under its jurisdiction by 10/31/2026. Allows the Department to contract with a third party, in accordance with the Hawaii Public Procurement Code, to assist with the timely completion of the review. Requires reports to the Legislature. (CD1)

Increases the fees paid to witnesses in civil and criminal trials. Changes the fees paid to witnesses in civil trials for travel expenses from 20 cents a mile to the mileage allowance prescribed by the Administrator of General Services. Authorizes reimbursement to witnesses in civil trials for use of common carriers. (CD1)